PAS Syura Council secretary Nik Muhammad Zawawi Salleh said the Pekan MP will be replaced by others.

“The country’s politics will carry on as usual. Leaders are replaceable. Even if he has gone to prison, others will take his place.

“I just hope that when the old faces are gone, the new generation will be able to unite Malaysians,” he said at an event at Universiti Putra Malaysia in Serdang.

Zawawi, who is also the deputy agriculture and food industries minister, was asked if Najib’s absence would affect the country’s politics.

Yesterday, the Federal Court affirmed Najib’s conviction and sentence for abuse of power, money laundering and criminal breach of trust involving RM42 million in SRC International funds.

The former Umno president began serving his jail term at the Kajang Prison shortly after the apex court announced its decision. He will also have to pay a RM210 million fine.

Zawawi said Najib’s absence would not be a problem for PAS, including in Pahang.

Asked if PAS was planning to field a candidate for the Pekan parliamentary seat in the coming general election, he only said, “Wait until GE15”.